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Taking a deep breath for courage, I open the door and head into the bedroom, stopping short when I see August lying on the bed. Asleep.

His eyes are closed, his thick lashes making me envious. His pinkish-red lips that are slightly parted give him sleeping, sweet baby boy vibes, which is the very last thing he could ever be. Is this what he looked like when he was a little kid, fast asleep and dreaming in his bed?

My heart warms at the thought.

Abandoning my earlier hang-ups, I carefully crawl onto the bed, keeping my gaze locked on his beautiful face. I shift closer, my movements slow, afraid I might jostle the mattress and ruin the moment. I only stop when my face is in his. I can feel his breath coming from his still parted lips and I lick my own, amazed at how much better I feel after taking that shower.

My body responds to being so close to him, everything on high alert. I want him. I want him, I want him, I want him and I think I could have him. For how long, I don’t know but I sort of don’t care. I just need to be careful and not completely fall for him. To do so would be detrimental to my mental health.

Falling in love with August Lancaster only for him to reject me would be soul-crushing. Life ending. He has far too much power over my emotions.

Slowly, I bend my head until I’m close enough to brush his lips with mine and his hand comes up automatically, fingers curling around the back of my head and holding me there.

“Thank Christ you brushed your teeth,” he murmurs against my lips, nipping at my lower lip.

I’m shocked. I thought he was asleep. “You’re awake.”

“I felt you crawling on the bed—that’s what woke me up.” His lips brush against mine with every word he speaks, making tingles cascade all over my skin. “Feeling better I assume?”

“Yes.” I part my lips on a sigh when he kisses me far too briefly. “Thank you for the T-shirt.”

“Looks better on you anyway.”

My skin warms at his compliment. “You haven’t even opened your eyes to look at me.”

“I don’t need to.” He kisses me again, his lips parted on mine, as if he’s trying to breathe me in. “You make everything look better.”

My stomach erupts like a bazillion butterflies took flightinside me, their wings flapping and tickling, making me shiver. He shouldn’t be allowed to say something like that. It’s too sweet, too…romantic. And he’s not the type. He’d be the first to admit it too.

Tilting my head, I try to deepen the kiss, but he rears his head back, ending our sort-of kissing.

“We’re not doing this tonight.” His voice is firm.

I fall back on my haunches, the disappointed sound leaving me loud enough to make him finally crack his eyes open. “You’re serious.”

“You’re not feeling well enough. I’m not going to have this night tainted with your upset stomach or whatever the fuck,” he practically growls.

I can’t help but smile because him saying that proves he wants this moment to be special for me. He wants it to be good because he cares and oh my God, if that doesn’t make my heart want to sing, I don’t know what else could make me feel that way.

“I feel lots better?—”

He cuts me off. “No. Some other time. Now, come on.” He rolls off the bed and stands, stripping off his clothing until he’s standing in front of me in just his navy boxer briefs, his semi-erect cock pushing against the front of them. “Time for bed.”

Fighting disappointment, I slip under the covers and he joins me, pulling the sumptuous comforter over us. He rolls toward me, his heavy arm settling across my waist as he pulls me into him. “Your hair is wet.”

“I couldn’t find a hair dryer.” I rest my hand on his chest, right over his thundering heart.

“I don’t believe there is one since I rarely use a hair dryer.” He pauses. “Did you like the lotion?”

“It smells nice.” If he tells me it belongs to his ex, I’m going to lose it.

“I don’t know where it came from.”

I breathe a secret sigh of relief.

“I don’t spend much time at this apartment. I only just bought the place,” he explains. “Once I graduate, I imagine I’ll move in.”

“You want to live here?”